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The Matrix Online will join Tabula Rasa and Shadowbane as as the list of MMORPGs cancelled in 2009 continues to grow. We'll remember the best and worst of MxO and consider what other MMOs might be on the chopping block this year in Loading... MxO Jacks Out.
Coyote's It's All Geek to Me is the lighter side of Ten Ton Hammer. Read his humor column daily at Ten Ton Hammer. Today's topic: Marvel vs. DC (Day 2) (Spoiler: the comic company wins)
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The Pulse You vote with what you view at Ten Ton Hammer, and the result is the Ten Ton Pulse (What is Pulse?). Here's today's top 5 Pulse results for today:
Biggest Movers in the Top 20 this week :
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Recent MMO Releases
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Upcoming Releases
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Important Dates
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Loading... Daily
Time for our Friday bad news segment (this is several weeks straight I believe despite some good news about Free Realms earlier in the week - nature loves a balance). Last night, Matrix Online players received an email that stated that SOE would suspend "commercial service" as of June 1st, and discontinue MxO entirely on July 31st. Most could see it coming, since the game hasn't received an patch nor has the community received word of an upcoming patch since Update 66 in February.
Despite more or less redefining the idea of live events - for a time GMs and players were running events on almost a weekly basis - and it's status as perhaps the longest lasting niche game in the MMO market, MxO's unfortunately become the butt of many a joke in the past few years. Whether that was due to the game's insular community, stodgy accessilbility for new players, lackluster missions, that the game was tied heavily to a movie franchise that fizzled out in 2003, the lack of a decent marketing push after the SOE acquisition, or maybe just the fact that just about every SOE fan event we attended had stacks of MxO copies that SOE couldn't give away (first rule of salesmanship: create the perception of value), I don't know. Probably a combination of these factors.
What I do know is that it's always sad to see a game discontinued, and if the 6 pages of SOE-targetted vitriol attached to this post are any indication, the community is none too happy either. I don't recall seeing quite this level of anger towards NCSoft when the Tabula Rasa announcement was made. People do love to hate SOE, and I have to wonder how much longer the sometime flashpoint of that hate, Star Wars Galaxies, has to last. That the latest retail SWG box released last year was subtitled: "The Complete Online Adventures" could be telling. Fortunately, the original legacy of SWG at least is secure in projects like SWGemu.
So Matrix Online will take its place in the great Brad McQuaid parking lot in the sky, joining Tabula Rasa, Shadowbane. and who's to say what other MMORPGs are on the chopping block this year? You are. Let's hear your picks for the next MMO to get the axe in the Loading... forum. Or feel free to email me.
Shayalyn's Epic Thread of the Day
From our WoW: News Discussion Forum
New Druid forms! OMGOMGOMG!!!
A bear is a bear is a...hey, wait a second!
There
was a time when World of Warcraft druids lost their individuality the
moment they went into forms, but that time is soon coming to an end.
Says Blizzard:
textures for two major forms, cat and bear. There will be five
different designs for each of these forms for the Horde and Alliance.
Night elves can choose to change their cat and bear look at any time by
visiting the barber shop and changing their character's hair color,
while tauren will be able to change which look they use by switching
skin tones in the barber shop -- a new feature for tauren in the next
major content patch."
See, kids? One quick trip to the barber shop and you're a whole new bear...or a much cooler cat.
WoW
druids have been waiting for this for a long time, and now there's much
rejoicing on our forum. If you're among the druidly (or you're just
sick of seeing the same ol' bears and cats), come join us.
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Awesome Quotes from the Epic Thread
"I'm sorry, but I think I hear something in the distance. Sounds like...the Hallelujah Chorus? HECK YES! "
- Lunais
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Have you spotted an Epic Thread on our forums? Tell us!
5 new MMOG hand-crafted articles today! 96 in May! 622 in 2009!
New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today [Thanks Phil Comeau for links and Real World News]
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The Chronicles of Spellborn: High House Selection Guide
Unlike the more artificial, or tacked on approach to factions present in many MMOs, the High Houses themselves are tied to nearly all aspects of gameplay to varying degrees - a fact made all the more pertinent as you advance your way to level nine which is when you can begin the process of deciding which High House you want to align yourself with. As this is truly a milestone of character advancement that will have a direct impact on the future of your character, we’ve put together a handy guide to the five High Houses in The Chronicles of Spellborn; Maul, Rune, Shroud, Silver and Torque. -
Aion: Class Interview - The Ranger
Continuing our series on the classes of Aion, we have another great interview for our readers. Check out the bow-toting scout that is known as the Ranger!
This keen-eyed master of the shadows is more than just a silly guy with a bow and arrow. The Ranger class has an impressive arsenal of powerful weapons, that not only can take down the occasional enemy before he even gets close enough to spit on, but when needed can also slice and dice with the best of them in melee combat.
Join us for this detailed interview with Aion Community Manager Lani Blazier and learn all about the Ranger class! -
Lord of the Rings Online: Volume 2, Book 8 - Sourge of Khazad-Dum Screenshots
The Lord of the Rings Online team continues to generate new content for both old and new players alike. Recently, Ten Ton Hammer's Eric "Dalmarus" Campbell had the opportunity to get a sneak peak at the new upcoming content in Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-Dûm. An ancient evil begins to stir in the depths of Khazad-dûm as the plans of Gorothúl, sorcerer of Dol Guldur, begin to be made clear. Stay tuned for all the juicy details of his tour, but in the meantime, enjoy this exclusive look at the upcoming adventure that awaits you! -
geeked: Classic Pick-Up Lines #3
Ten Ton Hammer's very own satirical webcomic on all things geek-related is back in its 60th issue with Pappy stepping in to show the boys just how to pick up the ladies. Things might have been easier however, when he was alive.
Be sure to catch up on any issues of Geeked you've missed by visiting our Comics Portal. Don't forget to rate your favorites while you're at it!
Hot Content - Or, what I took a fancy to:
- Premium Content: A Gaming Bully - Is World of Warcraft Ruining MMOGs?
- Exclusive Dragonica Online Beta Key Giveaway
- Lineage 2: Developer Diary #5 and New Screenshots
- Vanguard: Exclusive State of the Game Q&A
- City of Heroes: Exclusive Dev Diary with Bruce Harlick - A Circle of Fifths
- EVE Online: Sins of a Solar Spymaster #13 - The Participation Game
- geeked: Pick-Up Lines #2
- Star Trek Online: Exclusive Interview with Craig Zinkievich
- FusionFall Swag Giveaway
- geeked: Classic Pick-Up Lines #1
Real World News
- Woman explodes boyfriend's penis with firecrackers
Insert obligatory ‘blown away’ joke here. - Heather Graham urges women to be strippers, says it's 'empowering'
9 out of 10 men agree according to an informal pole. - Giant blob found deep beneath Nevada [Link provided by Matt N.!]
Representatives for Rosie O’Donnell say that she is extremely upset at the lengths the papparazzi will go to to track her down.
Thanks for visiting the Ten Ton Hammer network! Have a great weekend!
-Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle and the Ten Ton Hammer team
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our The Matrix Online Game Page.
